Rock Minutes

In the late summer of 1969, between the rain, mud, and clearing sky, it all came together for 5 minutes and 47 seconds. You see, rock and roll is not a “thing” of mass and weight, it’s not a substance of taste and smell, it is simply an ever-present idea; and single idea. It’s the idea of equality, togetherness, oneness, authoritarian-rebellion, youth, and unity; all rolled into a single word, freedom.

Rock and roll sprung from the roots of an idea, an idea of self discovery and the realization of the need for personal freedom. It spun from the blues, blues that cried for freedom and revolted against oppression. That is why rock and roll is so originally American, because it could only have only come from a place where such a strong idea of freedom was forged. Rock and roll came from the depths of our liberty and rang across the feeling of being young and free, of independence, and rebellion to authority.
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The thought that I am nostalgic is not a novel one indeed, for those that know me know that I am beyond nostalgic, I’m hyper-stalgic. So maybe coming from me, this article might not carry as much currency as coming from someone else, but I do believe I am right on this and I plan on sharing. The state of pop music, and today’s pop artist, has very little change of becoming legendary and their youth will be their downfall.

Today’s pop music movement is centered on youth, and the younger the better. In this period of music history it seems like 26 is over the hill. If you don’t believe me, ask Britney. When pop musicians hit their late 20’s they have to go to do a country music record to get recognized, but that’s different article all together (Don’t you feel it coming…a Britney Spears county album). If you’re young, sexy, and irreverent and can carry a tune in your pocket, you have a chance of being famous in today’s pop-musical culture. Now don’t forget that to capture that 15 minutes of momentary fame in today’s music scene, one must sacrifice intelligence, class, and dignity…but if you’re willing to do it, you have a chance to be the next washed-up pop star 5 years form now.
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I can tell you off the bat, my fellow contributors on Rockminutes.com will not appreciate this musing. But that is ok, because that is what makes this site the best on the planet, and that is the difference in taste we all bring to the table, mine being the best of course.

Let me start from the beginning, I grew up a huge Doors fan – and I mean huge. I had posters of Jim Morrison on my bedroom walls, and old vinyl record cover artwork nailed up everywhere in my room. I had all their albums (in cassette form of course, it was the 80’s); Jim’s recording of ‘American Poet,’ and all his writings in paperback. And I wasn’t alone; I remember a lot of my friends really being into the Doors as well.
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I was watching VH1 Classic the other day and the video of Missing Person’s Destination Unknown came on the television. My god I thought, I hadn’t seen it in years! But it was apparently clear within the first 30 seconds of seeing the video, that Lady Gaga is nothing more than a reincarnation of Dale Bozzio. I mean it…the look, the attitude, the style, I was thinking that Lady Gaga is not original at all, and in fact everything old, is new again.

It really got me thinking about the 80’s and the music and the styles the transfixed that era. I know that music from the 80’s as far as “its place in history” is controversial in the fact of its quality when compared to the birth of rock and roll. When Duran Duran is placed in history next to the Beatles, there should be collective chuckle occurring worldwide. But in its time, 80’s New Wave and Pop was relevant and socially important. Yes it was trite, shallow, and bubblegum in most respects. And, yes it was nonsensical, self absorbed and super materialistic, but like I said, everything old, is new again.
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Through out the history of rock music, there has been some incredible guitar solo’s…from Jimmy Page to Jimi Hendrix, from Steve Ray Vaughn to Steve Stevens (of Billy Idol fame). But what songs have produced the greatest studio work of all time?
Well I am about to tell you rock minute readers.

10. Stranglehold by Ted Nugent – Ted was considered a guitar virtuoso at a very early age. Ted was starring in a band at the age of 16, a band by the name of Amboy Dukes. And all the scuttlebutt about this band was around this young guitarist name Ted. Ted went on to be one of the most famous rock guitarists of all time for the simple reason that he is incredible. And, in my opinion, his greatest song of all time is Stranglehold. His guitar work on this song is just amazing. From his intro riff, to his monstrous solo, the guitar work is amazing. If you decide to make a play list of the top guitar songs of all time, this song has got to be on your list.
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